New Albany man accused of beating infant daughter

A New Albany father has been accused of severely injuring his infant daughter.

Benjamin P. Smith, 33, faces charges of battery and neglect of a dependent.

That victim is a 7-month-old girl. Authorities said she is in stable condition.

"The 7-month-old child's mother found her in physical distress at the home after she returned home from work and shopping," said New Albany Police Maj. Keith Whitlow.

Whitlow said Smith was the only adult at their home in the 1100 block of West Street when the incident took place Monday.

Whitlow could not say how the infant suffered what's being called a closed-head injury.

"I'm not sure this was the exact diagnosis, but it would be something like a subdural hematoma or an internal brain bleed that's not generally visible from the outside," said Whitlow.

The girl was initially taken to Floyd Memorial Hospital before being immediately transferred to Kosair Children's Hospital.

Whitlow said the hospital called police, suspecting a possible case of child abuse.

Smith was arrested the following night.

Neighbors on West Street who spoke to WLKY said they don't know Smith, but called the case troubling.

"It's really sad to hear that's how somebody would react toward their child. I know that it can be overwhelming at times to have a newborn baby, but that's no excuse. It's really sad," said Smith's neighbor, Samantha Escobar.

New Albany police are continuing to look into the circumstances of the case.

It's the type of investigation Whitlow has gone through several times in the past.

"I investigated them for like 24 straight years, up until just a couple years ago. I've done a lot of child battery cases, a lot of child deaths. They are never easy," said Whitlow.

Smith is behind bars at the Floyd County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

His first appearance in court is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

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